In South Korea Free Trade Debate, Kaesong Should Be a Non-Issue

Some critics of the proposed South Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) have expressed concerns about imports from North Korea, specifically goods originating from the Kaesong Industrial Region. This should be a non-issue.

The chart below compares how imports from North Korea are treated today and how they will be treated if KORUS is approved.

With or without KORUS, the U.S. government will continue to control imports from Kaesong and the rest of North Korea.

Bryan Riley is a full-time advocate for free trade through his research and writing for The Heritage Foundation. He brings years of experience in trade and economic issues to his role as Jay Van Andel senior analyst in trade policy. Read his research.

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